Category: International Organizations

ASEAN Dynamics Work Well, but Security Concerns Cloud its Future


The dynamics at work in ASEAN are an underâ€appreciated but crucial component of the Asia Pacific’s geoâ€political equation. Understanding these dynamics offers insights for policymakers reviewing the United States’ rebalance to Asia.

With more than 600 million people, the ten-nation ASEAN is a major trading partner for Australia, China, the US, and beyond. ASEAN’s significance comes from its position astride strategic and economic choke points of vital concern to countries that rely on free and unfettered access for their security and prosperity.

China’s Credibility and Influence Risk in the Success of the AIIB


The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has become part of Xi Jinping’s ‘Chinese Dream’ of national rejuvenation. The United States’ failure to block other developed economies from joining the AIIB seems to have brought this part of the ‘Chinese dream’ closer to its realisation. But it is way too early to celebrate. A bigger AIIB does not necessarily mean a better one. Beijing must prepare to play an institutional game with other members inside the AIIB.

Political Rhetoric Aside, a Prosperous China is in the U.S.’s Best Interest


The ‘China threat theory’ is once again in vogue, as US President Barack Obama pushes to overcome domestic resistance to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Failure by the US on the TPP is not an Option for Obama


America’s poor response to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has underscored the importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations.  A failure would risk hollowing out one of President Obama’s major strategic foreign policy initiatives–the pivot to Asia.  A critical piece for both negotiations and Congressional approval is the granting of trade-promotion authority (aka fast-track), which allows for an up-down vote on the final agreement.

TPP Benefits Appear Far Less Certain than those from the AIIB


The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a far more economically efficient option than the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for integrating Asian economies to each other and to the rest of the world. While the United States is attempting to thwart China’s AIIB by completing the TPP, it is likely to result in net costs to countries other than the US.

Are OPEC’s Days Numbered?


OPEC has been the most talked about international organization among investors, analysts and international political lobbies in the last few months. 

The U.S.’s Problem with the AIIB is the U.S.


China’s growing economic clout is complicating US efforts to maintain its grip on the world’s leading multilateral economic institutions – as it has done since the end of World War II.

The creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), established last year by China and many other Asian countries, has brought this challenge and how to address it front and center.

ASEAN Members Need to Look Past the Blame Game


Accusations against Cambodia made following the controversial 2012 ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh fail to acknowledge the challenges that each member state faces with the rise of China.

China is Winning Friends and Influencing Countries with the AIIB


In what can only be seen an unexpected Chinese success, several US allies have agreed to participate in China and India’s Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.  The UK not only appeared to break ranks with the US, but seemed to have preempted its European partners as well.  Once the UK expressed interest, it was if a dam burst and quickly others signed up as well.

Is the UK Accommodating China by Becoming a Founding Member of the AIIB?


On 12 March 2015, the United Kingdom submitted its application to become a prospective founding member of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The application created a major diplomatic spat between the UK and the US. A spokesperson for the latter criticised the UK for its ‘constant accommodation’ of China.